Wear Orange this Wednesday to thank our SES

Published on 18 May 2021

Rockhampton SES participate in recent training exercise.jpg

Tomorrow it’s Wear Orange Wednesday, so get set to put on your brightest gear and join us in showing support for our fantastic local State Emergency Service (SES). 

Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) Mayor Tony Williams said the day is a great opportunity to show how grateful our community is for the work these volunteers do. 

“In our Region we’re fortunate to have three strong local SES groups – in Rockhampton, Mount Morgan and Gracemere,” said Mayor Williams.

“The volunteers in these groups do so much for our community.

“We know that we can call on the SES if we need to during a flood or storm, and that the skills they have developed make them invaluable in supporting other agencies during disasters, such as the Police and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

“On top of all of this, volunteers donate their time to help ensure events run smoothly – just last month we saw members out in force supporting events from RockyNats to Anzac Day.

“Our community is well and truly enhanced by these generous people who willingly give up their time to support others.

“This Wednesday I’m encouraging everyone in our community to wear orange so we can show our gratitude in return.”

Local SES Controller Eddie Cowie said that volunteers appreciate the acknowledgment for the work they do.

“No one ever signed up to be a volunteer for the recognition or kudos but because they care about their community, so it’s wonderful to see the community show support,” Mr Cowie said.

“Every person who signs up to one of our groups brings something new and unique with them, and we’re all better for it.

“If you’ve ever thought about joining yourself, please feel free to give us a call or drop by sometime.

“In June we’ll be holding Open Days at each of our locations in the Regions, which is a great opportunity to come along and learn a bit more.”

SES Open Days will be held in:

  • Mount Morgan: 12 June, 10am to 1pm at 4 Showgrounds Road Mount Morgan
  • Rockhampton: 19 June, 10am to 1pm at 90 Charles Street Berserker
  • Gracemere: 26 June, 10am to 1pm at 10 Barry Street Gracemere

A video with interviews with current SES volunteers can be found here: https://rockhamptonregion.sharefile.com/d-sd932bcd2852140f7b141622e4c7e7b45

Community members interested in volunteering can get in touch with Eddie Cowie on 0447 932 496 to find out more.

Wear Orange Wednesday occurs during National Volunteer Week (NVW), the annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of the nation’s almost six million volunteers, from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 May, 2021.